North Africa·Egypt·Updated April 29, 2026

Alexandria Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Egypt)

Alexandria is Egypt's Mediterranean port city, founded by Alexander the Great and once the ancient world's greatest city, now home to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel, and Roman catacombs. As Egypt's second city, it sees similar scam patterns to Cairo — taxi overcharging, unofficial guide approaches at archaeological sites, and restaurant overcharging — in a more compressed tourist zone along the Corniche waterfront and around the major sites.

Risk Index

6.7

out of 10

Scams

12

documented

High Severity

0

0% of total

6.7

Risk Index

12

Scams

0

High Risk

Alexandria has 12 documented tourist scams across 6 categories in our database. Scam activity is rated high. The most commonly reported risks are Airport Taxi Overcharging, Unofficial Guide Approaches at Major Sites, Corniche Restaurant Overcharging.

Editorially reviewed — sources cross-referenced before publishing. How we verify →

Traveler Context

What Travellers Should Know About Scams in Alexandria

Alexandria carries 12 documented tourist scams in our database — none classified high severity, but the volume of medium-severity reports (12 of 12) reflects an active tourist-fraud environment that travellers should know in advance. Transport fraud accounts for the largest share (3 reports), led by Airport Taxi Overcharging: Taxis from Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport to central Alexandria (a 45 km journey) frequently quote inflated flat rates, sometimes three to four times the legitimate metered fare. Travellers familiar with Cairo or Marrakech will recognise the broad shape of the risk environment in North Africa, though the specific local variations in Alexandria are what catch first-time visitors out.

Specific documented risk areas include Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport taxi rank and arrivals hall, 45 km southwest of central Alexandria; Qaitbay Citadel entrance on the Eastern Harbor, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa in Karmouz district, Pompey's Pillar site; Corniche waterfront restaurants from Raml Station area to the Eastern Harbor, tourist-facing seafood establishments near Qaitbay Citadel. A separate but related pattern is Unofficial Guide Approaches at Major Sites: Around Qaitbay Citadel, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, and the Pompey's Pillar site, unofficial individuals present themselves as licensed guides and offer tours. The single most effective protection across these patterns: Use the airport bus or pre-arranged hotel transfer from Borg El Arab Airport. If taking a taxi, negotiate and agree on the fare before entering the vehicle. The approximate legitimate fare to central Alexandria is 150-200 EGP; significantly higher quotes indicate overcharging.

How It Plays OutMedium Risk

Airport Taxi Overcharging

Taxis from Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport to central Alexandria (a 45 km journey) frequently quote inflated flat rates, sometimes three to four times the legitimate metered fare. Drivers target arriving tourists and often claim no meter applies to airport routes. The journey is long enough that overcharging can amount to a significant sum.

Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport taxi rank and arrivals hall, 45 km southwest of central Alexandria

How to avoid: Use the airport bus or pre-arranged hotel transfer from Borg El Arab Airport. If taking a taxi, negotiate and agree on the fare before entering the vehicle. The approximate legitimate fare to central Alexandria is 150-200 EGP; significantly higher quotes indicate overcharging.

This scam type is also documented in Cairo and Marrakech.

Key Risk Areas

Where These Scams Are Most Active

Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents in Alexandria.

Airport Taxi Overcharging

Taxi & Transport

Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport taxi rank and arrivals hall, 45 km southwest of central Alexandria

Unofficial Guide Approaches at Major Sites

Tour & Activities

Qaitbay Citadel entrance on the Eastern Harbor, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa in Karmouz district, Pompey's Pillar site

Corniche Restaurant Overcharging

Restaurant Scams

Corniche waterfront restaurants from Raml Station area to the Eastern Harbor, tourist-facing seafood establishments near Qaitbay Citadel

Closed Attraction Redirect

Tour & Activities

Approaches concentrated near the Bibliotheca Alexandrina main entrance on the Corniche, at the Roman Amphitheatre (Kom el-Dikka) gate on Abd el-Moneim Street, and at the path leading to the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa in Karmouz

Bait-and-Switch Seafood Pricing

Restaurant Scams

Seafood restaurants near the Eastern Harbor in Alexandria, Abu Qir Bay area restaurants, fish restaurants along the Corniche between Montazah and central Alexandria

Ride-App Off-App Payment Request

Taxi & Transport

City-wide across Alexandria, most commonly on routes between Borg El Arab Airport and central Alexandria, and on the long-distance Cairo–Alexandria corridor where fares are large enough to make the scam worthwhile

These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.

Safety Checklist

Quick Safety Tips for Alexandria

Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.

  • Use the airport bus or pre-arranged hotel transfer from Borg El Arab Airport. If taking a taxi, negotiate and agree on the fare before entering the vehicle. The approximate legitimate fare to central Alexandria is 150-200 EGP; significantly higher quotes indicate overcharging.
  • Hire guides only through the official ticket office at each site. Licensed guides carry a Tourism Authority card with a photo ID. Politely decline any unsolicited approach before the ticket booth and proceed to the official entrance.
  • Request the Arabic-language menu or an English menu with clearly printed prices before ordering. Confirm whether a service charge is included. Check each item on the bill before paying and query any item not ordered.
  • Verify opening hours directly with the official site before visiting. Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities posts hours at entrances. If someone on the street tells you a site is closed, walk to the entrance yourself to confirm. Licensed operators and official ticket counters are the only authoritative source for site status.
  • Ask for the price per kilogram and the approximate weight before the fish is cooked. Insist on seeing the fish weighed on a visible scale. If prices are not clearly posted or the staff is evasive about per-kilo rates, choose a different restaurant.

FAQ

Alexandria Safety — Frequently Asked Questions

What scams target tourists in Alexandria?
The most frequently reported tourist scams in Alexandria are Airport Taxi Overcharging, Unofficial Guide Approaches at Major Sites, Corniche Restaurant Overcharging. Most scams operate near transit hubs, tourist attractions, and busy markets. Reviewing each type before you arrive significantly reduces your risk of being targeted. Similar patterns are also documented in Cairo and Marrakech.
Are taxis safe in Alexandria?
Taxis in Alexandria carry documented risk for tourists — 3 transport-related scams are on record. Use the airport bus or pre-arranged hotel transfer from Borg El Arab Airport. If taking a taxi, negotiate and agree on the fare before entering the vehicle. The approximate legitimate fare to central Alexandria is 150-200 EGP; significantly higher quotes indicate overcharging. Where available, verified ride-hailing apps (Uber, Grab, or local equivalents) are generally safer than street taxis.
Is Alexandria safe at night for tourists?
Alexandria is Egypt's Mediterranean port city, founded by Alexander the Great and once the ancient world's greatest city, now home to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel, and Roman catacombs. As Egypt's second city, it sees similar scam patterns to Cairo — taxi overcharging, unofficial guide approaches at archaeological sites, and restaurant overcharging — in a more compressed tourist zone along the Corniche waterfront and around the major sites. After dark, extra caution is advised near Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport taxi rank and arrivals hall, 45 km southwest of central Alexandria. Use app-based transport at night and avoid unsolicited approaches from strangers.
Which areas of Alexandria should tourists be most careful in?
Documented scam activity in Alexandria is concentrated in high-traffic tourist zones. Based on reported incidents: Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport taxi rank and arrivals hall, 45 km southwest of central Alexandria (Airport Taxi Overcharging); Qaitbay Citadel entrance on the Eastern Harbor, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa in Karmouz district, Pompey's Pillar site (Unofficial Guide Approaches at Major Sites); Corniche waterfront restaurants from Raml Station area to the Eastern Harbor, tourist-facing seafood establishments near Qaitbay Citadel (Corniche Restaurant Overcharging). These areas are safe to visit — knowing the common setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How can I avoid being scammed in Alexandria?
The best protection against scams in Alexandria is preparation — knowing the specific tactics used here before you arrive. Key precautions: Use the airport bus or pre-arranged hotel transfer from Borg El Arab Airport. If taking a taxi, negotiate and agree on the fare before entering the vehicle. The approximate legitimate fare to central Alexandria is 150-200 EGP; significantly higher quotes indicate overcharging. Always confirm prices before agreeing to any service, use official or app-based transport, and slow down if anyone creates urgency or distraction — that is almost always the setup.

Alexandria · Egypt · North Africa

Open in Maps →

Region

More destinations in North Africa

Cairo

Egypt

19 scams

Marrakech

Morocco

16 scams

Agadir

Morocco

14 scams

Sousse

Tunisia

14 scams

Casablanca

Morocco

14 scams

North Africa safety guide →All scams in Egypt →

Experienced a scam here?

Help fellow travelers by reporting it.

Report a Scam

Editorial note: Scam warnings for Alexandria are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →